Financial issues were a common theme at Monday night's
District 417 school board meeting.

The board approved a motion to purchase two used school buses,
even though the move will leave no reserve in the capital outlay
fund. Supt. Rick Clark said he wants the school board to explore
the possibility of asking voters to approve a capital improvement
bond referendum later this year. Finally, Dr. Clark suggested
that the school district should consider ending the long-term
relationship it has had with the City of Tracy in operating the
Sebastian Park swimming pool.

School referendum

The superintendent said that declining student enrollments
coupled with reduced state funding has left the school scrambling
for money. He is feels two steps are necessary: 1) An existing
operating levy must be continued in 2002; 2) A capital bond
referendum must be passed.

Milroy dedication is home run

Minnesota Twins owner Carl Pohlad helped make a
dedication ceremony for the Milroy ballpark a home run Monday
afternoon.

The park was improved recently with funding
assistance from The Minnesota Twins Community Fund, under the
"Molitor Fields for Kids" program. The Carl and Eloise
Pohlad Family Foundation assisted with the funding that provided
new fencing along the first and third base lines of the field.

Pohlad was joined by his son Jim. Jim Pohlad
caught a first ceremonial pitch from fourth grader Dane Bille of
Milroy, son of Dale and Diane Bille and T.C., Twins mascot.

"There is nothing more important for this
country than its youth," commented Pohlad. "Everyone
can play the game of baseball, even those who cannot participate
in contact sports like football and basketball."

School is out for Frank Smith

Head custodian retiring after 35 years with
district

By Valerie Scherbart Quist

After 35 years, Frank Smith is retiring from his duties as
custodian at Tracy's public schools.

The school maintenance veteran, who became a school employee
in February of 1966, is retiring effective June 30.

Smith assumed the head custodian position in July of 1980, at
which time he began supervising custodians in the elementary and
high school.

I've had very good staff to work with, Smith said.
I will miss everyone when I'm gone.

Smith says he learned all the tricks of the trade from Jim Van
Dusen, his mentor for 10 years before taking over as head
custodian.

Smith's co-workers threw two retirement parties for him. The
custodial staff threw one party, and other school employees
planned the other.

Everyone seemed to appreciate the work I did over the
years, he said.

Ground broken for newTracy ambulance
garage

Construction is underway on a new home for the Tracy Ambulance
Service.

Excavations for the 90x54-foot structure began last week.
Foundation footings were being poured this week.

The new ambulance garage is being built on the corner of South
and Center streets. The City of Tracy donated the land.

Estimated construction cost is $202,000, according to the
project's city building permit.

The wood-frame structure will have three large overhead doors
for ambulances. Besides the main garage area, blueprints call for
a large training room for EMTS, a kitchen, two-bedrooms for
personnel on overnight call, an office, storage and utility
areas, and shower-equipped men's and women's bathrooms.

The facility will face the southeast, with access onto both
Center and South streets.

The volunteer, non-profit ambulance service is now located on
the west side of the Tracy Fire Department building.

150 attend American Legiondistrict
convention in Tracy

By Dave Brakke

American Legion and auxiliary members from across the region
met in Tracy Friday and Saturday for the 81st annual Seventh
District Convention.

Over 150 Legion and auxiliary members where present at the
Convention.

District Commander Orwill Wigen Jr. of Tracy said the weekend
went well.

"I think the convention went really well. It was one of
the better conventions that we have had," he said.

State Legion Commander Ray Dezurik extended his greetings to
the legionnaires, "This has been a great Legion year, and I
can't thank you enough for your dedication and hard work for our
veterans, our children, our grandchildren, and our
communities.

Department Membership Director Richard Abraham gave credit to
the Legionnaires for all the effort that has been put into the
American Legion Program.

"We are a family that we don't want to lose. Not only are
we benefiting veterans from war, but also the communities that we
live in. More than any other group, the American Legion supports
our youth with activities and organizations. Keep up the good
work and go that extra mile to help your post and your
communities."

TAMS shows loss for year

Tracy Area Medical Services (TAMS) board members heard both
good and bad financial news at their regular May meeting.

The bad news was that combined hospital and clinic operations
show an unaudited loss of $105,000 for the fiscal year that ended
April 30.

The good news was that the loss was smaller than what was
projected a month earlier and that patient activity for April was
strong. A lower accounts receivable aging for both
the clinic and hospital was another positive financial trend.

The TAMS operating loss was due largely to one-time expenses
booked during April. Until April, TAMS finances for its 2000-01
fiscal year were in the black.